Ask Sundiata!

[DreadedBliss]

Sister nattyreb, I would love to hear Elder Acoli's thoughts on integration and what he feels it has done, both positive and negative, for our people. Lately especially I'm really feeling like the whole integration thing has helped to wipe out the unity we once felt as a people, something I can only get a feel for most of the time 'less I'm around my Brothers and Sisters who are on the same kind of vibe.

See I was born down south in the late '70s and growing up I just don't recall much of that unity and pulling together that I've read/heard about. I was listening to WRFG the other day and they were saying how back in the day, when times got hard we used to watch out for one another and rely on each other way more. Not just family but friends, neighbors, all that.

Maybe I'm just feeling mighty sensitive about it all 'cause times are hard and I look around and it's just, I don't know, seems like it's every man/woman for himself/herself.

When I'm walking down the street I try and greet my Brothers and Sisters and look them in the eyes and smile and we're just not vibin' like that. I don't know why.

Anyway, I've got some thoughts on this but this is all for now . I hope my question isn't too obtuse. I've got a problem with tangents .

[nattyreb]

Great question!

Originally Posted by DreadedBliss

Sister nattyreb, I would love to hear Elder Acoli's thoughts on integration and what he feels it has done, both positive and negative, for our people. Lately especially I'm really feeling like the whole integration thing has helped to wipe out the unity we once felt as a people, something I can only get a feel for most of the time 'less I'm around my Brothers and Sisters who are on the same kind of vibe.

See I was born down south in the late '70s and growing up I just don't recall much of that unity and pulling together that I've read/heard about. I was listening to WRFG the other day and they were saying how back in the day, when times got hard we used to watch out for one another and rely on each other way more. Not just family but friends, neighbors, all that.

Maybe I'm just feeling mighty sensitive about it all 'cause times are hard and I look around and it's just, I don't know, seems like it's every man/woman for himself/herself.

When I'm walking down the street I try and greet my Brothers and Sisters and look them in the eyes and smile and we're just not vibin' like that. I don't know why.

Anyway, I've got some thoughts on this but this is all for now . I hope my question isn't too obtuse. I've got a problem with tangents .

[Majadi]

My question is dealing with strategy! Please ask the elder, if it is better that one large organization for our movement be established or should we organize as small independent groups to pursue our liberation goals? I have some strategical theories on it myself from my experience but I need to ask someone who has worked with important groups before. While I was a member of one organization, the "head" of the group asked that each individual part operate as its own independent body. In this manner the group was not easy to take out! On the other hand an organization with a large centralized format can work easier in galvanizing support from the masses. I think it comes down to one extremely large Grizzly Bear versus 9 small Grizzly Bears. Which organizational structure works better? I am of the mind that the smaller groups can move faster, and in a more clandestine manner!

[nattyreb]

Sorry, Bro., i am just now seeing that you revised this. i'm glad you checked in cuz i am just getting some stuff together for the Bro. and will include this. i hope folks reading this please will respond to his most recent posting over on the "Sundiata Answers" side, to encourage him in this activity. Asante sana!

Originally Posted by Majadi

My question is dealing with strategy! Please ask the elder, if it is better that one large organization for our movement be established or should we organize as small independent groups to pursue our liberation goals? I have some strategical theories on it myself from my experience but I need to ask someone who has worked with important groups before. While I was a member of one organization, the "head" of the group asked that each individual part operate as its own independent body. In this manner the group was not easy to take out! On the other hand an organization with a large centralized format can work easier in galvanizing support from the masses. I think it comes down to one extremely large Grizzly Bear versus 9 small Grizzly Bears. Which organizational structure works better? I am of the mind that the smaller groups can move faster, and in a more clandestine manner!

[Majadi]

Originally Posted by nattyreb

Sorry, Bro., i am just now seeing that you revised this. i'm glad you checked in cuz i am just getting some stuff together for the Bro. and will include this. i hope folks reading this please will respond to his most recent posting over on the "Sundiata Answers" side, to encourage him in this activity. Asante sana!

I am with you, no need to apologize, we keep on moving, keeping things...natty...uhh....nattyreb!

[tanya f. baby]

Uhuru ! I would like to ask Bro. Sundiata for some guidance on how would I go about organizing the youth in my community to help them to stop all of the counter-productive behavior that is being displayed throughout New Orleans. How can I do my little part to kick the truth to the young black youth? I don't want to go the route that's currently being done here by a few local churches. In my opinion their methods of trying to get them to come to church is NOT WORKING! The youth here in N.O. are not feeling that. I'm just looking for some ideas on what I could do to reach them.

[nattyreb]

Uhuru, Sista, and asante sana for your question and for your willingness to get down and organize with our young folks! That really should be number one on ALL our agendas, right? i sent off Bro. Majadi's question and am also waiting to send some feedblack on his last response over on "Sundiata Answers," after which i'll be sure to follow-up with your excellent expressions.

There are some groups off the radar of the churches and such like Brothas Keepa (We Are Our Brotha's Keepa) that you may like to check out, if you haven't already. Hopefully others can chime in as well with individuals/groups doing consistent work down your way that you can support or use to bounce ideas off of. Sometimes just hearing folks doing creative things can give you your own lightbulb moment that will lead to your creation of the most effective and important organization for our Black youth EVER!

So i'm saying all this to encourage you to keep on moving forward and spread your own wings, my Sista.

Originally Posted by tanya f. baby

Uhuru ! I would like to ask Bro. Sundiata for some guidance on how would I go about organizing the youth in my community to help them to stop all of the counter-productive behavior that is being displayed throughout New Orleans. How can I do my little part to kick the truth to the young black youth? I don't want to go the route that's currently being done here by a few local churches. In my opinion their methods of trying to get them to come to church is NOT WORKING! The youth here in N.O. are not feeling that. I'm just looking for some ideas on what I could do to reach them.

[Fenix]

Originally Posted by tanya f. baby

Uhuru ! I would like to ask Bro. Sundiata for some guidance on how would I go about organizing the youth in my community to help them to stop all of the counter-productive behavior that is being displayed throughout New Orleans. How can I do my little part to kick the truth to the young black youth? I don't want to go the route that's currently being done here by a few local churches. In my opinion their methods of trying to get them to come to church is NOT WORKING! The youth here in N.O. are not feeling that. I'm just looking for some ideas on what I could do to reach them.

Yes! I second Sis. Nattyreb's thoughts. Much love to you for taking the initiative to organize our young. We need more like you.

I am interested to hear the answer to this question also.

[DreadedBliss]

Fantastic questions! This has been on my mind lately as well!

[Nefertiti]

This is great Sistah Queen Natty Reb*smile* And wouldnt it be even more wonderful if more of our POW's and greats as such could participate! My questioned is with the first one, about this Presidential Fiasco As Bro jalili put it, And do Brother Sundiata agree with fact that The "Black Problem" is bigger than Obama

[nattyreb]

Asante sana for all y'all for your continued interest in this project! Also, Sis, i'm not sure if you saw Bro. Sundiata's response to Bro. Jalili over in the "Answer" portion, i'm not sure if that answers your question or not? If not, please develop your question a little more fully, if you don't mind. i'm waiting to hear back from him on Bro. Majadi's question, and then Sis. Tanya will follow that.

And yes, Sis. Nef, i have been thinking along the lines of tryna get other PP's/POW's interested in this project, as well. i had thought about this for a while, and specifically since it's taking Bro. Sundiata a while to communicate back.

Is there anyone in particular we would like to hear from? Also, is there someone who would volunteer to contact that person (or people) regarding this activity :-). Holla black, y'all, asante sana!